This takes place in part 3 between Finaqua and the Realm of the Unwanted.
Disclaimer: Sciffy rules all...and I do not.
He couldn't help but wonder at how quickly his priorities had changed in a few short days.
He stepped over a fallen tree as he scoured the forest for anything out of the ordinary. The dark woods could hide many things, but even his trained senses couldn't find any trace of trouble tonight. As he headed back toward the camp, he thought back to the day DG charged, stick in hand, into his life.
In all his annuals in that suit, only this hopelessly out-matched and overpowered girl had stepped in to stop the holographic violence. But the moment he was out of his metal prison, his only thought had been revenge. It consumed him. All he wanted was the satisfaction of seeing Zero die, and every action he took aimed to bring about that end.
Until he went to the brothel to find Zero gone – after DG. It was then he saw her swinging that useless stick at the armed men attacking his family. Curse his stupid conscience – he had to help her.
Then there was the Mystic Man. The old bastard forced him to reluctantly push those satisfying plans for Zero on to a back burner. Okay, that was a little unfair. The Mystic Man had been an upstanding leader, and Cain still respected him enough to honor his request. He had to protect the girl now. And, like a good cop, he accepted his new charge, however unhappily.
DG first, Zero second.
As they traveled to the Northern Island, he began to notice her eyes. He knew how to read people's eyes. He could tell if a person was hiding something. He knew his own eyes were clouded by pain and vengeance. But hers: he could see through those clear blue eyes straight to her soul. She was the purest thing he had seen in a while. It unnerved him a bit.
Then the attack on the ice castle. And right before Zero shot him, the news that rearranged his priorities again. The impossible idea that Jeb and Adora might be alive somewhere.
DG first, Jeb and Adora second, Zero third.
The rescue at Azkadellia's tower. Damn, those eyes were getting to him. How they lit up when they saw him, then that embrace that lasted a moment or two too long. Feelings that had been cold and dead for annuals began to stir. He tried to push his confusion to the back of his mind. He had mourned his family for years in the suit. By the time DG came along, he was ready for revenge. The idea that they could still be alive turned his grieving process upside down and made any feelings for DG completely inappropriate. However, her safety was still his first concern.
DG's safety, then find Jeb and Adora, then maybe he could deal with Zero.
Then there had been this discovery of the toy horse at the Resistance fighter's home, which led to Jeb and Adora's abandoned home. His original assumption about his wife was confirmed. Adora was gone. Somehow he felt he had known it all along. Seeing her grave allowed him a moment of closure that he was very thankful for.
DG had been so sensitive about the whole thing. He saw the pure concern in here eyes. Concern for him. Dammit, why was he still thinking about her?
He approached the camp. Raw was propped up against a large rock, sleeping silently. Glitch was curled up, using his coat as a blanket. Toto was next to him, also asleep. DG's sleep was not as sound as their other companions. She lay slightly away from the others in the full fetal position, shivering and murmuring.
Cain pulled off his coat and gently covered her with it before settling down on his back next to her with his hands behind his head. After a moment, her shivering stopped. Her breathing became more regular and she relaxed. He was about to drift into a light sleep despite the chill when her whisper startled him.
"Cain?" He turned his head to see those beautiful blue eyes looking through him again. He felt transparent – he couldn't hide anything from her.
"Aren't you cold?"
"No." He lied anyway.
Knowingly, she ignored him. He opened his mouth to protest, but a look at her told him it would do no good. She shifted to lay along his side, with her head on his shoulder, the coat over them both.
Chapter 2 from DG's point of view coming soon. Please review!